Ronaldo at the double as Real fightback floors PSG

Two late Real Madrid goals earned the reigning Champions League holders a 3-1 home victory over Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

The visitors heaped more pressure on under-fire Real boss Zinedine Zidane when they went in front in the 33rd minute.

Dani Alves’ cross was intended for Edinson Cavani but he stepped over it and though Nacho prevented Neymar from reaching the ball, Adrien Rabiot was left all alone on the edge of the box to plant a right-footed finish home.

However, the hosts levelled prior to the interval when they won a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Toni Kroos got the ball from a short corner and Giovani Lo Celso put his left hand on the German’s shoulder to pull him to the ground.

Alphonse Areola guessed right from the spot yet was powerless to prevent Cristiano Ronaldo’s vicious penalty going beyond him to make it 1-1.

PSG had the better of the second half and could have swiftly restored their lead had Keylor Navas not reacted quickly to push out Kylian Mbappe’s low drive.

Despite Gareth Bale’s introduction, it looked liked the French side would end the night as winners as Sergio Ramos blocked from Presnel Kimpembe and Alves nearly reached Yuri Berchiche’s cross.

However, Marco Asensio’s arrival in the 79th minute proved pivotal.

It was his 83rd-minute delivery across the six-yard box that Areola turned on to Ronaldo’s knee, with the ball looping up over the line to give Real the lead.

Then, with four minutes to go, Asensio crossed again from the left and Marcelo’s first-time finish beat Areola again to ensure Real will head to France with a first-leg lead.

Picture: AP. Ronaldo scored twice for Madrid.